Join the Cardinals and Ave Maria Radio in Prayer

The College of Cardinals, meeting today for the 2nd day of the sede vacante period, have not yet set a date for their conclave to select a new Pope.

Briefing reporters after the morning meeting, Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, said that the cardinals were evidently in “no rush” to proceed with the conclave. He pointed out that the cardinals’ congregation had chosen not to hold meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, suggesting that this decision underlined their intention to proceed deliberately.

During the daily congregations, cardinals have spoken about the needs of the Church and the procedures for electing a new Roman Pontiff. Father Lombardi reported that 33 cardinals have taken the opportunity to address the congregation.

There were 148 cardinals present at the Tuesday meeting, and 110 of the 115 cardinal-electors had arrived in Rome. The conclave cannot begin until all of the cardinal-electors are present, but a date could be set while some are absent. The issue seems moot, however, since all 115 are expected to be in Rome on Wednesday.

What the Cardinals HAVE done is ask us to pray. They have called the Universal Church to pray with them tomorrow for their wisdom in choosing the new Pope. That will be tomorrow, March 6th, at 11 AM Eastern / 8 AM Pacific Time. At that time the Cardinals will gather at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica for recitation of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and then Vespers. Ave Maria Radio will be joining the Universal Church in prayer on the air, reciting the Glorious Mysteries along with the Cardinals. Be with us if you can, and if not, join the Church in prayer.